Celebrated british artist David Hockney dies aged 88

David Hockney, one of Britain’s most influential contemporary artists, has died aged 88

British artist David Hockney has died aged 88, according to a statement from his publicist, marking the end of a career widely regarded as one of the most influential in modern and contemporary art.

Hockney, who rose to prominence as a leading figure in the Pop art movement during the 1960s, died peacefully at home in London on Thursday, a month before his 89th birthday.

His publicist Erica Bolton described him as “one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries.”

His career spanned more than seven decades, during which he became known for his distinctive use of colour, experimentation with perspective, and sustained exploration of visual representation across multiple media.

Born in 1937 in West Yorkshire, Hockney studied at Bradford School of Art before attending the Royal College of Art in London, where he graduated with distinction.

Early in his career, he emerged as part of a new generation of British artists challenging post-war conventions.

He later moved to California in 1964, where much of his most recognisable work was produced, including paintings capturing domestic life, portraiture and swimming pool scenes that became central to his artistic identity.

Hockney’s work achieved global recognition, and he was awarded numerous honours throughout his life. In 1997, he received the Order of the Companions of Honour in the United Kingdom, and earlier this year he was awarded France’s Legion d’honneur, one of its highest civilian distinctions.

Tributes from the art world described him as a defining figure in post-war painting. Art historian Richard Morris wrote on social media that “his huge achievement was to make serious painting look effortless,” adding that “British art has lost a giant.”

The Centre Pompidou in Paris, which previously collaborated with Hockney on major exhibitions, described him as “unquestionably one of the major figures of contemporary art” and said his work remains “dazzling, alive and eternal.”

Hockney continued to produce work into his later years, embracing digital tools including iPads and experimenting with new technologies alongside traditional painting and drawing.

He is survived by his partner Jean-Pierre Goncalves de Lima, two brothers, and extended family members.